A native of Princeton, Illinois, John received a Bachelor of Music degree from Northern Illinois University (DeKalb) in 1997 where he studied organ with Robert Reeves and Richard Hoskins, and a Master of Music degree from the Chicago Musical College (Roosevelt University) in 2003, an organ and harpsichord student of David Schrader. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Cincinnati (College-Conservatory of Music) where he is an organ student of Roberta Gary. At CCM Linker has served as staff accompanist for the University Men’s Chorus, and has performed with the CCM Chorale, CCM Chamber Singers, and as organ soloist with the CCM Philharmonic. Linker was first place winner in the annual Strader Organ Competition at CCM in 2004.
Since 2001 Linker has been Organist/Choirmaster of the Church of the Good Shepherd (Episcopal) in Lexington, Kentucky, where he leads a vibrant choir program of professional and volunteer singers of trebles and adults. In addition to the usual rigorous rehearsal and service schedule, the Choir has performed in concert numerous masterworks, including Maurice Duruflé, Requiem, Op. 9, J S Bach, Magnificat in D, BWV 243, Leonard Bernstein, Chichester Psalms, and Mozart, Requiem, K 626. National and international tours also occupy much of the Choir’s time, and under Linker’s leadership the choir has honored four English Cathedral residency invitations, (Gloucester Cathedral, 2003; Lichfield Cathedral, 2006; Durham Cathedral 2006; Ely Cathedral 2009). The Choir has also made many stateside tours including Atlanta, Chicago, Washington DC, New York, and all around Kentucky. In 2011 the Choir will appear in Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, California.
In September 2010 Linker was appointed College Organist at Berea College, Berea, Kentucky, where he plays College chapel services and oversees the organ department. The College recently finished a new Holtkamp mechanical action organ in Gray Auditorium, a project that was begun in 2004.
In addition to liturgical work and teaching, Linker keeps busy as a recitalist and chamber musician, making numerous tours in the United States and abroad. He is an active member of the Association of Anglican Musicians, the American Guild of Organists (former Dean of the Lexington Chapter), and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia music fraternity.
Linker is married to Lexington native Molly McCann Linker, and both are proud guardians to two lively felines, Nigel and Pierre, and also monitor their inherited porch cat, Tom.
www.johnlinker.com
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